Filter.



PATENTED JAN. 17, 1905.

E'. B. SHELDBN.

FILTER.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 24, 1904:.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

...................................... a a. Y 4 U W 2 w 2 No. 780,069. PATENTED JAN. l?, 1905.

F. B. SHELDBN. FILTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

tra. Stearns Patented January 17, 1905.

PATENT Orricn.

OF ONE-HALF TO H. A. BURGESS, OF

COLUMBIA.

WASHINGTON, DISIRIC" OF i FllLTEW..

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 780,069, dated January 17, 1905. Application filed May 24:, 1904. Serial No. 209,567.

10 a/Z/ lull/om, il; Tito/y concern:

Be it known that T, FRANK B. Si-inLDnN, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of NVashington, in the District of 5 Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Filters, or' which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certainl new and useful improvements in filters, and especially io to that class in which a porous stone or filtering medium is employed.

The present invention has for its objects, among others, to provide the iilter with an airchamber and pressure-gage. This air-chamber receives the unfiltered water and serves to prevent shocks to the water pipes and lixtu res by absorbing the impact resulting from water in motion being suddenly arrested, as in suddenly closing the spigots. This socalled water-hammer is not only liable to injure the pipes, but is annoying' to the occupants of the building. V1t saves frequent repairs to water pipes and lixtures caused by the excessive strains and vibration from this 2 5 water-hammer. It also prevents rupture of the pipes from Yfreezing by furnishingI ayiclding medium that allows the congealing water to expand. This air-chamber and pressuregage :further shows the pressure of water in 3o pounds per square inch in the pipes and streetmain, as well as the height in `leet that the water can be delivered corresponding' to the indicated pressure. It ilurther shows ii. water can be furnished to the upper stories ol a 3 5 building before the plumbing is put in or installed. Many times the plumbing is all installed in the upper stories only to iind that the water will not supply the iixtures, caused by leakage in the service-pipe or because the 40 pressure is too low. It will show it the insufficient supply is caused by obstructed pipes or defective pressure. lt will show if the service-pipe is totally obstructed, the supply turned oitl at the stop-cock, .or the supply has 4 5 'failed in the street-main. It will serve to detect leaks in the service-pipe and fixtures by turning ofi'I the water at the stop-cock box or house stopscock, the tension oi' the air 1n the airchamber forcing the dead water in the pipes out ot' the openings. It will show the 50 amount ojl the leak or waste, which may be easily determined by observing the gage and timing the fall of water in the saine. It further ai'l'ords a ready means of measuring the pressure caused by steam generating' in the 5 5 kitchen hot-water boiler and also Aprevents explosions in suoli. boilers by furnishing a yielding medium and showing thel pressure at the danger point The pressure-gage also serves to aid in determining the size ot' the 60 tap supplying the premises, and it may also be used lor testing Yfor leaks in. the gas pipes and iixtures.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be speeilically defined by the appended claims.

The invention is capable oi embodiment in a variety of `forms, some of the pret'erable ones of which are herein illustrated. Such 7o preferable formsare clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the numerals of reference marked thereon, 'torni a part of this specilication, and in which-i Figure lis asubstantially central longitudinal section through a [ilter embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation, on a smaller scale, showing the application of the invention. Fig. 3 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, with portions broken SO away, showing a somewhat different form of embodiment of the principle ot' the invention. 1i`ig-4isa similar view of another form. Fig.

5 is a substantially central vertical section through another form, shown applied to the 35 service-pipe. Fig. 6 is a substantially central longitudinal section oit still another lform. Fig. 7 is a substantially central longitudiiial section of an air-chamber and pressure-gage separate irom the lilter. 9o

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to the details of the drawings, referring lirst to Fig. 1,1 designates a tube of metal or any suitable material ol? the required dimensions, which may or may not be cylindrical in cross-section, and in this instance it is shown as provided at one end with the exterior screw-threads 2 and at the other end as formed with the annular enlargement or offset 3, forming a support for a purpose which will soon be explained. This tube 1 is also formed with the interior screw-threads 4 at the outer end of the said enlargement and with the annular lateral head 5, having the annular iiange or depending rim or ring` 6, the annular chamber or cavity 7 thus formed serving a purpose which will soon be made apparent. N ear its lower end this tube is provided with a series of openings 8. 9 is the porous filter-tube, which may be of any of the wellknown materials adapted for the purpose, being closed at its lower end, as seen at 10, and having at its other end, which is open, an annular outwardly-extending enlargement 11, which is received in the annular enlargement 3 of the tube 1, as shown, a washer 12 being interposed between the under side ot' the enlargement of the porous wall or lter-tube and the adjacent shoulder formed bythe bottom of the enlargement of the tube 1 for an obvious purpose. 13 is a cap-piece or fitting exteriorly screw-threaded, as at 14, and engaged with the screw-threads of the enlargement 5 of the tube 1, a suitable washer 15 being' interposed between the adjacent ends of the said tting and the enlargement ot' the filter-tube for an obvious reason. The filter-tube is thus centered and firmly held centrally within the tube 1 and out of contact therewith, leaving an annular' space 16 between the outer wall of the iilter-tube and the inner wall of the tube 1, into which the water flows, so that the iilter-tube is at all times surrounded by the water. The fitting or cap-piece 13 is provided with a nozzle or nipple 17 for the attachment of the hose or other means, from which the ltered water may be delivered to the required place. The lower end of the tube 1 screws into a coupling' or fitting 18, which is provided with the interior screw-threads 19 for this purpose and with a depending nipple 20, having a hexagonal portion 21 and screwthreads 22 for its attachment, one form ot' which is shown in Fig. 2. The itting or coupling' 18 is formed at its larger end with an annular ring or rim 23, as seen clearly in Fig. 1, and 24 is a g'lass tube iitted at its op posite ends within the rings or rims 6 and 23 of the enlargement 5 of the tube 1 and the lower litting 18, a washer 25 being employed at the upper end, ag'ainst which the upper end of the glass tube 24 engages, said washer being seated in the cavity or socket formed by the said ring 6, while a similar washer 26 is employed at the lower end and against which the lower end of the glass tube 24 engages, the said washer being seated in the cavity or socket formed by the ring' 23 of the litting 18, all as clearly shown in Fig'. 1. The glass tube 24 is provided with graduations, as seen in Figs. 5 and 6, the gradua tions ot' which are arranged to show the pressure in pounds and also the height of the water in feet. In some instances it may be found desirable to protect this glass tube, in which case I employ a thin metallic tube 27, surrounding the same, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, in which case the casing 27 will be provided with a vertical elongated slot 28, through which the water in the glass tube 24 may be readily seen, and in this case the g'raduations will be marked on the metal casing upon opposite sides of the said slot therein, as indicated clearly in Fig'. 2. Vhen this metal casing or protector is employed, its ends will be held within the rings 6 and 23, as indicated clearly in Fig. 1, and the ends thereof will abut against the washers 25 and `26, as seen in said Fig. 1, the parts being all clamped firmly together and held against separation by the screwing of the parts in the manner shown. The operation will be apparent. The water entering through the nipple 20 flows into the space 16. between the porous tube 9 and the tube 1 and also through the openings 8 into the space 29 between the tube 1 and the glass tube 24. The water lters through the porous filter-tube into the interior thereof and out through the nozzle or nipple 17. The water entering the air-chamber formed by the space 29 compresses the air therein in a manner well understood, and the gage indicates the pressure of the water and also the height of the water in feet in the service-pipes of the building. Air and water tig'ht joints are formed at opposite ends of the tube 24, so that there is no leakage.

Fig. 2 illustrates but one of the various ways in which the lter can be applied. In this view 30 is the service-pipe of the building, having the lateral branch 31, on which is the T 32, to which the screw-threaded part 22 of the lower fitting 18 is connected, as indicated. A spigot 33 is provided on the outer end of this lateral branch, as shown, from which the unfiltered water may be drawn when desired.

Fig. 3 shows another form of embodiment of the invention involving the same principle. In this view the tube 1l1 is eXteriorly threaded at its upper end, as seen at 2a, and near said upper end is provided with the inwardly-extending' shoulder or flange 3, upon which is supported the outwardly-extending liange 4u of the porous lter-tube 5, a washer 6 being interposed, as shown, to insure a tight joint. The lower end of the tube 1a is held in any suitable manner, as by a tight-fitting or ground joint in the lower iitting 7, having a nipple or nozzle 8, with screw-threads 9a, for an obvious purpose, the iitting being' formed with an annular depression 10iL to receive the end of the said tube, as shown. The screw-threaded upper end of this tube 1n is engaged in the screw-threaded opening 11 of the ring 12, the

IOO

IIO

upper end o'll which is exteriorly threaded, as seen at 13, to receive the cap-piece 14, a suitable washer 15 being' interposed between the cap and the ring, as shown, to insure a tight joint. The cap-piece 14 is provided with a nipple or the like 16 for the attachment o1' a iiexible pipe or other means through which the {iltered water may be drawn. The tu be 1'is provided near its lower end with a plurality ot' openings 17 i, through which the water finds its way to the space 13"between the tube 1 and the glass tube 19, which latter is held between the lower iitting 8 and the ring 12, as shown, a washer 20 being provided at the lower end and a similar washer 21 at the upper end, against which the ends of the glass tube bears, as shown. The lower end of this glass tube is received in an annular cavity or socket 22 in the lower fitting and in a similar cavity or socket 23a in the lower face of the ring 12. The parts are all securely held together by the screwing home of' the ring and cap-piece, as will be readily understood.4 24 is a metallic tube surrounding the glass tube for protection, as already explained in connection with the form shown in Fig. 1. 25n designates the gage upon the glass or upon the metal protecting-casing when the latter is employed, in which latter instance the glass tube is visible through a slot in the metallic casing the same as described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. 26 is the space between the porous filter-tube andthe tube 1, into which the water ilows and from which it is filtered throughI said liltentube. The operation is the same as in the form shown in Fig. 1.

1n. Fig. 4 is shown still another form o1' embodiment of the principle of the invention. ln this form 34 is the porous filter-tube closed at its lower end and having at its upper end the lateral annular flange or shoulder 35, which rests upon the upper end of the tube 36, the lower end ot' which is open, as seen at 37, and its upper end screw-threaded, as seen at 38, and engaged with the screw-threads oiI the ring 39, within which also the annular' fiange ot the upper end of the porous filter-tube is received, as shown. 4() is the glass tube. Its lower end rests upon a washer 41, and its upper end bears against a washer 42. This upper washer is engaged against the under side of the ring 39, which is engaged upon the opposite side by a similar washer 43, `against which the cap-plate 44 bears, the said capplate having' a nipple or nozzle 45 for an ob-` vious purpose, and over this cap-plate fits the cap-piece 46, having a central opening 47, through which the said nipple passes, and a depending annular peripheral iiange 48. This annular fiange is screw -thrcaded internally, as seen at 49, and engages the screw-threads on the upper end of the metallic protectingcasing 50, the lower end of which is also interiorly screw-threaded, as seen at 51, and is engaged over the body portion o1' the lower fitting or coupling' 52, having the annular shoulder 53, upon which the washer 41 is supported, as shown, and with the tapered chamber 54 and the depending nozzle or nipple 55 for an obvious purpose. The space between the porous lilter-tube and the tube 36 is indicated by 56, while the space between the tube 36 and the glass tube is indicated by 57. 58 indicates the gage, which is oi' the same construction as already described in connection with Figs. 1, 2, and 3. '.lhe operation is substantially the saine as that o1' the constructions shown in Figs. 1 and 1n this case, however, the water instead o1'. 'fiowing through openings in the lower end ol the tube surrounding the porous filter-tube finds a ready passage into the space 57 by reason ot' the open lower end ot' thel said tube 36. rlhe parts are all securely held together by screwing up the cap-piece, and the lower fitting` and the i'iltertube is centrally held within its surrounding tube and at all times out of contact therewith. The washers insure perfectly tight joints, and the parts are readily assembled or dissernbled for cleaning or for repairs or for other pur poses. The tapered chamber ot' the lower fitting or casting affords a ready How for the water entering the nozzle or nipple 55 and into the spaces 56 and 57.

Referring to Fig. 5,V 59 is the filter-tube, closed at its upper 4end and at its lower end having a central opening 60, receiving the plug 61, which is cemented therein by suitable cement 62, the said plug having a depending stem 63, through which there is a passage 64, this stem passing' through an opening 65 in the base 66, and between the upper face o'l' this base and the lower end oi' the porous lil ter-tube is a washer or a layer ot' cement 67, as shown. The base 66 has an annular upwardlyextending ilange 68, which is interiorly screwthreaded, as seen at 69, and receives the lower end ot' the glass casing 7 O, a suitable washer 71 being provided between the lower end olE this casing andthe shoulder 7 2, iormed on the base 66, as shown. The glass casing is provided with the gage or graduations 7 3, and the base is formed with the annular channel 74, with which connects the spigot 75, through which the water in the chamber' surrounding the filter-tube may be withdrawn when desired. 76 is the service-pipe, connected with the channel 74 by the connection 77. The stem 63 of the plug 61 is provided with a plurality of lateral openings 78, which communicate with a chamber79, f'orined in the depending casing 8f), as seen, and from this chamber the filtered water may be withdrawn when desired through a spigot 81. The lower end oiE the stern 63 is screw-threaded, as seen at 32, to receive a thumb-nut 83, a suitable washer 34 being interposed between the upper tace of the grasping portion of the thumb -nut and the under face ot' the casing SO for an obvious purpose. rlhe operation o'f' this form ol the IIO water. The infiowing water entering the chamber formed between the porous filter and its inclosing casing compresses the air in the upper portion of' such chamber, and the water finding its way through the filter-tube is collected within the same and withdrawn through the spigot 81 in the manner illustrated in the said Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 shows still another form. In this view 85 is the filter-tube, having at its upper end the annular outwardly-extending shoulder or flange 86, which rests upon a washer 87,

which in turn is supported on a shoulder 88l ofthe casing 89, which is formed with the double walls, as shown, the upper end ofl the outer wall being screw-threaded, as seen at 90, to receive the cap-piece 91, the annular depending' flange 92 of' which engages the said screw-threads, as shown. This cap-piece has a central opening 93, through which passes the nozzle or nipple 94 on the top plate 95, which rests upon a washer 96, bearing upon the upper face of' the liange 86 of' the filtertube. The lower end of' the outer wall 97 of' the casing is screw-threaded, as seen at 98, and receives the lower coupling' or fitting 99, the flange 100 of which is screw-threaded, as seen, to engage the screw-threads of the said lower end of' the wall 97, and this fitting is provided with the depending nozzle or nipple 101, with a passage 102 therethrough for an obvious purpose. The inner depending wall 103 of' the casing terminates at the lower end of' the porous filter-tube, as shown, and there is a space 104 between this inner wall and the filtertube, as seen, for the passage of' the water to surround the filter-tube, the space 105 between the outer wall 97 and the said inner wall forming the air-chamber, into which the unfiltered water fiows as it enters the filter from the service-pipe, as will be readily understood. 106 indicates the graduations or gage upon the outer wall of the casing. The operation ofl this form of' the device is substantially the same as that of' all the other forms hereinbefore described.

In Fig. 7 I have illustrated the air-chamber and pressure-gage independent of' the filter to demonstrate how it canbe used for various purposes independent of' the filtering operation. In this figure 107 is the'glass casing, closed at its Lipper end and provided with the gage or graduations 108, similar to those in Fig. 1 and those in the other forms previously described. The lower end of the cylinder or casing rests upon a washer 109, seated in an annular recess 110 in the coupling or fitting 111 and surrounded by the upwardly-extending flange 112, which is screw-threaded to receivethe screw-threaded lower end ofl the casing, as shown. The coupling or fitting 111 is provided with a depending nozzle or nipple 113, having the passage 114 therethrough and its lower end screw-threaded, as shown at 115. 116 is a vent opening from the passage 114 (for a vent-cock) for recharging the chamber, while 117 is a bleed-opening, and 118 a cock controlling the flow through the passage 114. The water entering the chamber compresses the air therein, and the gage serves tov indicate the pressure of water per square inch in pounds in the street-main and in the pipes of the building, as well as the height in feet that the water can be delivered. It shows ifl the water can be furnished to the fixtures in the upper story of the building. It will indicate if the pipes are obstructed, and it can be used for the purpose of detecting leaks in the service-pipes or in the gas-pipes of' the house. Furthermore, it will prevent damage to the pipes and boiler in the kitchen and will prevent the water-hammer so common and obnoxious.

From the above it will be seen that I have devised a simple yet efficient form ofl filter and air chamber and pressure gage, and while the structural embodiment of the invention as hereinbefore set forth discloses what I at the present time consider the preferable ways of carrying out the invention it is obvious that the same is subject to changes, variations, and modifications without departing from the spirit of' the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages. I therefore do not wish to be limited to the details of construction herein disclosed, but reserve the right to make such changes, variations, and modifications as come properly within the scope of the protection prayed.

What is claimed as new is 1. In a filter, a casing, a porous filter-tube therein, and an air-chamber and pressuregage independent of' the said filter-tube and adapted to receive the unfiltered water.

2. In a filter, a casingand a combined airchamber and pressure-gage adapted to receive the unfiltered water, as and for the purposes specified.

3. In a filter, a porous filter-tube, a tube surrounding the same, and an air-chamber and pressure-gage inclosing the filter-tube and having water and air tight joints at its ends.

4. In a filter, a porous filter-tube, means for supporting the same at one end, means for admitting unfiltered water to the exterior of said filter-tube, and an air-chamber and pressure-gage surrounding the said filter-tube.

5. In a filter, a porous filter-tube, means supporting the same at one end, a casing surrounding said filter-tube with an air-chamber and pressure-gage between the tube and casing, means for admitting unfiltered water to said air-chamber and means for withdrawing the filtered water from the interior of said filter-tube. l

`6. In a filter, a porous filter-tube, a casing surrounding the same with an air-chamber IOO and pressure-gage intermediate the tube and casing, a fitting at the lower end of' the casing forming' a tight joint. therewith, and means l for admittingl water through said fitting into the air-chamber and around the iiltertube- 7. In a filter, a porous lter-tube, a support for the same at one end, a glass casing with an interposed air-chamber and pressure-gage, and a metallic casing' around the glass casing.

8. In a filter, a porous filter-tube with surroundingair chamber and pressure gage, means for admitting' a fluid to said air-chamber and surrounding the filter-tube, means forming water and air tight joints at top and bottom, and means for withdrawing the filtered water.

9. In a filter, a porous filter-tube, an inclosing' casing' with interposed air-chamber and pressure-gage, means supporting the filter tube concentric within the airchamber, and means for forming air and water tight joints at top and bottom of the air-chamber.

Signed by me at Washington, District of Columbia, this 20th day of' May, 1904.

FRANK B. SHELDEN.

Witnesses:

j CARL D. RITTER,

CHAs. P. SEIQBOLD. 

